LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIFT    OF 

*> 


Pacific 
Tidings 


Copyright, 

1907, 
By  HUGH  BLISS  GODLOVER. 


Preface. 

The  problem  regarding  the  nature  of  the 
universal  is  as  old  as  philosophy  itself.  Treated 
already  by  the  predecessors  of  Plato,  we  find 
also  the  account  given  by  Plato  himself  inad- 
equate. His  "idea  of  the  good"  remains  still  a 
mere  abstract  category,  therefore  we  regard  the 
problem  as  unsolved.  Neither  did  Aristotle  suc- 
ceed in  this  task  ;  and  his  definition  of  "the  un- 
moved mover"  will  hardly  answer  the  demands  of 
theology.  Passing  over  mediaeval  philosophy 
which  was  but  a  development  of  Platonic  and 
Aristotelian  thoughts,  we  meet  the  problem 
again  in  the  Kantian  Critiques.  The  gap  left 
unbridged  between  them  proves  the  solution  to 
be  deficient,  and  likewise  we  regard  the  answers 
given  by  Kant's  successors. 

When  we  ask,  why  did  philosophy  fail,  the 
explanation  is  ready  for  us.  We  say  philosophy 
has  failed,  because  the  problem  was  improperly 
treated.  For,  two  requirements  we  regard  as 
absolutely  indispensable  for  a  proper  treatment, 
either  or  both  of  which  we  miss  in  philosophy, 


*  O  * 


6  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

\ 

namely,  an  intuitive  treatment  and  a  scientific 
treatment. 

First  we  say,  the  mere  intuitive  belief  is 
virtually  already  the  answer  to  the  problem ! 
Availing  ourselves  of  this  principle  we  gain  an 
inspiring  force  for  our  thinking  faculty  which 
opinionated  reasoning  would  naturally  exclude. 
We  maintain  a  receptive  attitude  towards  the 
transcendental.  In  such  a  way  we  can  surely 
attain  to  truth. 

We  further  declare  that  an  adequate  answer 
of  the  problem  requires  that  we  treat  it  with 
scientific  precision.  But  neither  does  philosophy 
always  and  thoroughly  satisfy  this  demand. 
Philosophy  is  rather  a  longing  after  science  and 
not  a  science  properly  so  called.  To  my  comply- 
ing with  both  of  those  requirements  is  it  not  in 
the  least  due  that  I  had  the  grace,  to  become  the 
medium  of  revelation  of  the  Divine  Religion. 

HUGH    BLISS   GODLOVER, 
Master   of   Science. 


Contents. 


PART   I.     The   Revelation  11 

PART    II.     Life-Experiences  of  Mr.  Hugh  Bliss 

Godlover     -  15 

PART   III.     The  System  of  the  Divine  Religion  83 


Part  I. 


The  Revelation. 

It  remained  for-ever  ready  that  I  can  be  God, 
because  I  am  God.  I  am  God,  because  I  am  God ; 
and  because  I  am  God,  I  am  a  person. 

I  am  a  person  among  persons.  I  am  a  person 
among  persons.  I  am  a  person  among  persons. 
I  am  a  person  among  persons.  I  am  a  person 
among  persons. 

I  am  an  intellect  among  intellects.  I  am  intel- 
lect that  can  be  known,  that  at  times  becometh 
revealed,  that  can  become  revealed  to  a  man 
who  is  capable  of  comprehending  God,  and  who 
hath  the  power  of  overcoming  Satan ;  who  hath 
the  power  of  overcoming  Satan  till  the  last 
moment,  till  the  moment  of  revelation  of  a  person 
to  a  person  for  other  persons. 

I  am  a  person  among  persons.  I  am  a  person 
among  persons.  I  am  a  person  among  persons. 
I  am  a  person  among  persons.  I  am  a  person 
among  persons.  I  am  a  person  among  persons. 
I  am  a  person  among  other  persons.  I  am  a 
person  in  an  infinite  society  of  minds.  I  am  a 
mind. 


12  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

I  am  that  I  wish  to  be  to  my  children.  I  am 
a  person  among  persons.  I  am  feeling!  I  am  a 
feeling  and  heartily  good  father ;  a  father  of  so 
dear  and  sweetly  dear,  and  beloved,  heartily 
beloved  children.  I  am  a  father  caring  for-ever 
for  his  children,  for  children,  of  children,  of  chil- 
dren, of  children,  of  children,  of  children,  and  of. 
children,  that  I  am  the  eternal  father  of  my 
beloved,  dear  children. 

Dear  children:  God  hath  become  again 
revealed;  to  ye,  a  mankind,  during  the  ages, 
grown  elder  in  civilization,  but,  alas,  not  so  in 
wisdom.  I  am  grieving  and  sorrowing  for  so 
many  woeful  sufferings  on  this  earth,  terribly 
woeful  sufferings.  Children,  children,  know  ye 
the  truth ;  follow  ye  God,  trust  ye  in  God,  and  be 
ye  blessed  by  God. 


Part  II. 


Life- Experiences  of 
Mr.   Hugh  Bliss  Godlover. 

BOOK  1. 

CHAPTER  I. 

And  it  came  to  pass  that  a  man  found  life  not 
worth  living  on  the  earth  of  this  God,  because 
this  God,  he  imagined,  bereaved  him  of  his 
beloved  little  girl.  He  loved  her,  and  so  did  she 
him,  but  both  of  these  facts  he  doubted ;  and  he 
doubted,  because  he  was  a  sceptic,  which  he  had 
become  on  account  of  his  insufficient  life- 
experience. 

Born  in  the  family  of  a  banker,  he  was  reared 
up  as  a  bourgeois'  son.  But  in  his  studies  he 
became  much  impressed  by  the  high  ethical  value 
of  socialism,  though  in  his  scepticism  he  rated 
it — at  least  for  the  present — as  impracticable. 
Therefore  he  shuns  socialism,  cares  greedily  for 
his  own  person,  and  has  intercourse  with  con- 
temned women.  And  yet  they  too  are  children 
of  their  much  grieved  Father  in  heaven. 


16  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  spread, 
The  pacific  tidings  that  God  exists; 

That  God  is  an  only  loving  mind, 

And,  therefore,  we  His  children  are  also  minds. 

Let  us  herald  everywhere  and  tell  every  man 
The  truth  that  God  is  our  eternal  Father. 

God  our  eternal  Father  hath  become  again 
Revealed  to  us,  His  beloved  children. 

God  loveth  all  of  us  heartily, 

God  loveth  us  as  His  dear  children. 

Therefore  let  us  love  God,  our  eternal  Father, 
Let  us  always  love  God  with  all  our  heart. 

Let  us  all  love  God  in  thoughts  and  by  deeds, 
By  loving  our  fellowmen  let  us  love  God. 

Love  ye  your  fellowmen  by  words  of  love, 
And  by  loving  deeds  prove  ye  them  your  love. 

Love  ye  them  by  teaching  the  love  of  God, 
By  teaching  them  the  true  word  of  God. 

Love  ye  them  by  relief  of  their  aches, 
By  relieving  them  from  woeful  cruelties. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF    MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.       17 

Let  us  alleviate  their  pains  and  griefs, 
Let  us  elevate  them,  and  save  their  souls. 

Let  us  save  the  soul  of  every  human  being, 
Let  us  all  co-operate  for  mankind's  salvation. — 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  spread 
The  pacific  tidings  and  say  the  truth: 

That  God  loveth  all  of  us  as  a  father, 
The  good  and  the  wicked  of  His  children. 

Therefore  let  us  love  God,  and  never  hurt 
God's  feelings,  and  never  grieve  our  God. 

Let  us  be  good  for  the  sake  of  our  God, 
Let  us  love  each  other  for  God's  sake. 

Our  love  will  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  God, 
Our  love  will  compensate  for  others'  wickedness. 

Let  us  convert  the  wicked  in  a  loving  way, 
By    teaching    them    truth    and    restoring    their 
strength. 

Have  ye  love  and  patience  for  the  sinners, 
They  do  wrong  because  of  weakness  or  unknow- 
ingly. 


18  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

They  do  not  know  the  truth  or  are  too  weak, 
Therefore  they  sin,  and  suffer  for  their  sins. 

Have  ye  love  and  mercy  with  their  sufferings, 
Have  ye  pity  and  compassion  for  their  pains. 

Let  us  relieve  their  pains  with  hearty  care, 
Let  us  clear  up  their  minds  by  wisdom  and  by 
truth. 


Let  us  tell  the  truth  to  them  that  God  exists, 
That  God  loveth  also  them  His  wicked  children. 

Let  us  try  and  try  again  to  save  their  souls, 
Let  us  try  by  love  till  we  succeed. 

Salvation  will  bestow  happiness  on  them, 
Happiness   on   us   and,   above   all,   happiness   on 
God. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.       19 

CHAPTER   II. 

Lonely  in  his  room  and  studying  sat  a  man, 
when  the  vast  city  of  San  Francisco  was  struck 
by  fire  and  earthquake.  He  studied  Ethics  for  an 
examination  to  be  held  at  the  University  of 
California.  He  was  born — far  awray  from  Berke- 
ley, the  seat  of  the  university, — in  Czernowitz,  an 
Austrian  capital.  He  had  the  will  to  do  some- 
thing for  mankind.  But  how  to  accomplish  this? 

He  had  not  much  money  at  his  disposal,  and 
even  that  money  he  did  not  regard  entirely  as 
his  owrn,  since  according  to  his  moral  principles 
an  adult  person  had  to  earn  the  means  for  his 
living  by  his  own  power.  But  this  task  is  not  so 
easy  under  the  modern  economic  conditions. 

To  gain  wealth  for  suffering  mankind,  and  to 
complete  his  knowledge  he  had  emigrated  to 
San  Francisco,  the  rich  emporium  on  the  Golden 
Gate  with  the  two  great  universities  in  its  neigh- 
borhood. He  loved  mankind,  science,  and  a  girl, 
but  imprudently ;  therefore  he  had  endured  so 
terrible  sufferings.  He  possessed  great  attain- 
ments in  science,  since  he  studied  its  various 
branches  through  his  whole  youth.  Further  he 


20  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

learned  commerce,  which  study  he  combined  with 
that  of  law. 

As  a  law  student  in  Vienna  he  made  the 
acquaintance  of  that  girl,  with  whom  he  deeply 
fell  in  love.  But  it  was  not  till  he  had  entered 
the  practice  of  law,  that  he  renewed  the  acquaint- 
ance and  made  her  a  proposal  of  marriage.  He 
then  also  wrote  her  of  the  circumstances  which 
obviously  favored  their  meeting,  but  he  could 
not  explain  the  true  reason  of  these  facts.  That 
God  was  this  benevolent  reason,  he  did  not  know 
at  that  time. 

To-day  Mr.  Hugh  Bliss  Godlover  is  quite  sure 
of  this  truth,  since  after  long  striving  for  the 
true  conception  of  God,  he  had  the  grace  that 
God  became  revealed  to  him. 

God  is  only  good.  Creatures  as  derived  from 
God  are  originally  also  good,  and  cannot  thus  be 
the  primordial  causes  of  evil.  Evil,  therefore, 
originates  from  another  fact,  namely,  from  Satan. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  spread 

The  pacific  tidings  that  God  became  revealed. 

Let  us  tell  the  truth  to  every  man 

That  God  only  loveth,  that  God  is  only  good. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF    MR.    HUGH   BUSS   GODLOVER.       21 

God  only  loveth  in  His  all-embracing  mind, 
God  loveth  with  infinite  love  all  of  us. 

God  loveth  all  His  creatures  and  careth  for  them, 
God  careth  and  Go^  loveth  since  infinite  past. 

God  always  favoreth  our  good  aims, 
All  our  good   endeavours   and  strivings  for  the 
good. 

Let  us  all  aim  at  our  true  goal, 
Always  aim  at  the  good,  and  at  love. 

Let  us  to  all  creatures  wisely  be  good, 
Let  us  love  mankind  and,  above  all,  God. 

As  God,  our  eternal  Father,  is  only  good, 
We  are  originally  good  minds  too. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  know  ye  this  truth, 
That  God  originateth  only  the  good. 

But  know  ye  also  another  truth, 
That  evil  originateth  from  Satan  only. 

Disguised  as  our  dear  and  beloved  God, 

He  hath  belied,  confused  us  like  foolish  children. 


22  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  come  to  light, 

Let  us  come  to  reason,  and  recognize  the  truth. 

Let  us  come  to  reason,  bestowed  on  us  by  God, 
That  pure  and  simple  reason,  the  source  of  every 
truth. 

Clarify  your  minds,  behold  ye  the  truth ; 

It  is  Satan  that  perverteth,  alas,  your  minds. 

With   his   confusing   power    he   perverteth    and 

obscureth 
Our  reason,  the  endowment,  presented  us  by  God. 

Let  us  come  to  reason  and  know  as  our  God: 
Our  eternal  Father  who  is  only  good. 

Let  us  come  to  reason,  and  let  us  love 

As  our  eternal  Father  our  only  loving  God. 

Tell  ye  all  the  children  that  there  is 
A  Father  who  loveth  them  and  never  forgeteth 
them. 

Believe  ye,  dear  brethren  and  sisters  beloved, 
That  there  is  a  Father,  that  there  liveth  for  us  a 
God. 


OF   MR.    HUGH   BUSS   GODU>VER.      23 

Americans,  Australians,  Asiatics,  Africans, 
Europeans,  ye  nations  all  on  earth: 

Believe  ye  in  God  who  only  loveth  us, 
Who  loveth  all  of  us  as  His  dear  children. 


24  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER    III. 

In  a  love-letter  young  Mr.  Godlover  wrote  to 
his  girl  that  she  was  destined  for  him  as  wife. 
How  this  destiny  was  brought  about,  he  sought 
to  explain  by  mere  natural  law.  That  God  had 
patronized  their  inclinations,  in  order  to  make 
them  happy,  and  that  this  plan  was  spoiled,  as 
they  did  not  choose  the  good,  this  fact  he  did  not 
know  for  long  time. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  believe  ye  all  in  God, 
Belief  in  God  will  save  ye  from  painful  doubts. 

Belief  in  God  will  save  ye  from  struggles  without 

end 
That  by  faith  can  easily  be  escaped. 

God  is  the  mighty  master  of  the  universe 
As  far  as  love  and  goodness  are  concerned. 

But  as  far  as  hate  and  sufferings  occur, 
Satan  is  the  inspirer,  their  only  origin. 

By  his  evil  might  Satan  bringeth,  alas, 
Ruin  and  corruption  into  our  life. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODIXWER.         25 

But  he  cannot  annihilate  our  life, 

For  that  is  impossible ;  and  God  inspireth  us. 

God  inspireth  and  sustaineth  every  mind, 
Every  soul  for  everlasting  life. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  believe  ye  in  God 
Who  is  our  sustaining,  eternal  Father. 

f 

God  is  our  Saviour,  our  trusty  guide 
Who  in  love  embraces  us,  His  dear  children. 

Therefore,  brethren   and   sisters,   let  us  all   love 

God, 
Let  us  lovingly  hold  God  in  our  heart. 

Love  ye   God  with  deepest    feelings    and  with 

conscious  will, 
With  reason  and  by  action,  with  all  your  soul. 

Happiness  will  follow,  when  we  thus  love  God, 
Happiness  of  ours  and,  above  all,  happiness  oi 
God. 


26  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

When  young  Mr.  Godlover  became  again 
acquainted  with  his  beloved  girl,  he  was  very 
happy,  for  she  was  young,  beautiful  and  very 
rich.  But  young  Mr.  Godlover  could  not  make 
her  an  oral  proposal  of  marriage.  So  it  came 
about  that  he  did  not  accomplish,  what  he  other- 
wise easily  would,  since  the  girl  loved  him  also 
very  much.  Moreover,  as  a  sceptic  he  neither 
trusted  her,  nor  did  he  believe  in  the  necessary 
success  of  good  actions.  Thus  he  committed  a 
grave  misdeed,  when  he  despondently  and  self- 
denyingly  staked  his  life.  To  make  the  case  still 
worse,  he  threatened  his  beloved  girl  with 
assassination. 

In  order  to  settle  the  affair  he  declared  to  the 
girl  that  he  would  study  medicine,  if  he  could  not 
win  her,  to  become  a  physician  of  the  poor  and 
of  herself,  whenever  she  should  fall  into  disease. 
Had  he  strictly  kept  this  arrangement,  he  would 
probably  have  succeeded. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODLOVER.         27 

Brethren  and  sisters,  know  ye  the  fact, 
Happiness  always  follows  our  good  deeds. 

Let  us  always  love  with  full  consciousness, 
Heartily  and  gently  each  the  other. 

Love  ye  your  fathers  and  your  mothers  too, 
Love  ye  them  in  reverence  and  respect. 

Love  ye  your  spouses  and  your  relatives, 
Treat  ye  well  all  your  fellowmen. 


Love  ye  them  at  least  as  ye  would  wish 
In  their  circumstances  be  treated  yourselves. 

While  ye  are  thus  caring  for  the  others'  good, 
Do  not  loose  ye,  but  love  ye  also  yourselves. 

Respect  ye  yourselves,  and  take  ye  due  regard 
Of  your  personal  interests  and  desires  too. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  love  wisely  realized 
Will  surely  confer  full  happiness  on  ye. 

When  then  the  long  wished  moment  of  happiness 

hath  come, 
Enjoy  it  without  prudery  and  without  self-denial. 


28  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Let  us  enjoy  happiness,  let  us  happy  be, 
As  happiness  of  ours  is  happiness  of  God. 

God  heartily  wisheth  that  we  may  attain 
Happiness  on  earth,  and  bliss  in  the  afterlife. 


OF     MR.     HUGH     BLISS     GODLOVEX         29 


CHAPTER   V. 

Immediately  upon  the  renewal  of  his  love- 
acquaintance,  young  Mr.  Godlover  observed  the 
exceeding  interest  of  the  girl  in  his  person.  From 
this  he  concluded  that  she  had  not  entirely  for- 
gotten him,  but  had  kept  him  in  mind  all  the 
while. 

It  is  true  that  his  attention  had  been  called  to 
this  fact  before.  Had  he  been  sincere  and 
veracious  at  that  time,  he  could  easily  have  mar- 
ried her.  But  the  way  of  his  thinking  was 
crooked  and  false,  so  that  he  could  not  attain 
what  else  he  would. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  seek  ye  to  combine 
Always  love  with  truth  and  discernment. 

Be  ye  faithfully  and  wisely  good, 

That  is  the  shortest  way  leading  to  success. 

Truth  or  faithfulness  means  conformity, 
Especially  between   expression  and  thought. 

In  ordinary  cases  and  principally 
Refrain    ye  from    untruth    which  confuseth    and 
diverteth. 


30  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Rather  be  ye  silent,  than  commit  a  lie 
Which  necessity  and  love  only  would  justify. 

Act  ye  with  wisdom  in  that  ye  act 

According  to  good  principles  and  good  purposes. 

But  principles  use  ye  freely  at  different  events, 
And  for  different  situations  differently  employ. 

First  find  ye  by  judgment  the  purpose  of  the  case, 
Then  realize  the  best  by  the  best  means. 

If  we  act  thus  truly  and  wisely  well, 

Then  we  surely  act  according  to  God's  wish. 

God's  actions  and  God's  plans  are  only  good, 
And  in  thus  far  God  is  perfectly  true. 

But  God  is  wisely  true  in  His  benevolence, 
He   thinketh   with    true    wisdom    in    His    loving 
mind. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  our  happiness  is  assured, 
If  we  act  according  to  the  thoughts  of  God. 

God  wisheth  us  true,  judicious  and  good, 
Only  for  the  sake  of  our  happiness. 


OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODLOVER.         31 


CHAPTER  VI. 

As  wooer  young  Mr.  Godlover  was  vain  and 
ostentatious.  He  liked  to  show  his  learning,  to 
play  with  phrases  and  to  wear  most  modern  gar- 
ments. Vanity  was  one  of  the  gravest  faults  of 
his  character. 

Thus  young  Mr.  Godlover  missed  what  he 
wanted,  namely,  his  girl. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  if  ye  wish  to  be 
Happy  in  your  life,  be  ye  in  manners  plain. 

Though  caring  for  the  outward,  for  beauty,  tact 

and  taste, 
Never  exceed  ye  the  golden  middle  way. 

Let  us  be  plain,  straightforward,  yet  gentle  and 

polite, 
Thus  we  soonest  shall  succeed  in  our  aims. 

But    vanities    forbear    ye,    as    they    divert    the 

thoughts 
From  the  true  and  serious  tasks  of  life. 

Forbear  ye  with  full    consciousness    excess  and 

vanities, 
For  by  all  such  vices  Satan  tempteth  us. 


32  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Refuse  ye  the  vain  baits  and  lurings  of  Satan 
Immediately,  at  once,  before  it  is  too  late. 

Perfidious  are  Satan's  dealings  with  the  lots  of 
men; 

His  greedy  pleasures  only  spoil  human  happi- 
ness. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  disregard  ye  them, 
Overcome  ye  Satan's  pleasures,  and  save  ye  thus 
your  souls. 

Be  ye  on  your  guard  and  have  ye  self-control, 
By  judging  and  considering  find  ye  the  true  good. 

Find  ye  }^our  final  goal  in  the  love  of  God. 
Who  saveth   us   from  troubles,  from   sufferings, 
and  loss. 

In  God  we  can  rest  safely  and  surely  trust, 

Because  God  wisheth  only  our  happiness. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  trust  ye  all  in  God, 

Trust  ye  always  and  believe  in  God's  pure  love, 


°F 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF    MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.       33 

CHAPTER    VII. 

Thus  young  Mr.  Godlover  could  not  succeed 
in  his  marriage-plan.  He  was  also  overcontem- 
plative,  dilatory  and  suspicious.  He  thought  his 
girl  was  treacherous  and  fickle,  while  she  was 
rather  of  a  faithful  character. 

Had  he  been  confident,  resolute  and  readily 
acting  he  had  surely  married  her. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  trust  ye  in  others*  faith, 
Confide  ye  each  to  the  other  with  due  respect. 

Do  not  hurt  the  feelings  of  your  fellowmen 
By  careless  distrust  and  groundless  doubts. 

Doubt  is  a  mildew  to  freely  active  life, 

It  blighteth  the  spirit  and  hampereth  enterprise. 

The  sceptic  never  fully  reacheth  happiness, 

Because  he  cannot  find  the  goal  of  human  life. 

Loving  God  by  actions,  loving  God  in  heart, 
Will  surely  confer  happiness  on  us. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  all  love  God, 
Let  us  love  God  faithfully,  and  always  trust  in 
God. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BLISS     GODLOVER.         35 

BOOK  II. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Grieved  by  the  mischief  in  his  love-affair, 
young  Mr.  Godlover  would  end  his  life.  Lastly, 
however,  he  decided  to  go  to  America,  in  order 
to  help  others  to  their  happiness. 

Thus  he  went  to  San  Francisco,  where  he 
would  acquire  wealth.  But  he  failed  in  San 
Francisco,  because  he  was  not  perfectly  right- 
eous, nor  patient  enough.  He  then  settled  in 
Berkeley,  where  he  took  up  studies  in  philosophy. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  righteous  be, 
Success  will  surely  follow  our  righteous  deeds. 

Success  and  righteousness  necessarily  are  com- 
bined, 
Therefore  the  righteous  man  will  always  succeed. 

Be  ye  righteous  knowingly  and  decidedly, 

Be  ye  righteous  with  patience  and  persistency. 

Be  ye  steadily  righteous  in  all  affairs  of  life, 
Righteous   in   your   thinking,   righteous   in   your 
deeds. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  righteous  be, 
Thus  we  shall  surely  attain  full  success. 


36  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER  II. 

While  there  raged  the  great  fire  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, young  Mr.  Godlover  read  no  newspapers, 
but  studied  his  book.  Neither  did  he  visit  the 
city's  ruins,  until  he  was  invited  by  suffering 
friends.  Before  he  came  to  see  his  friends,  he 
bought  exquisite  refreshments  which  he  pre- 
sented them,  and  though  he  had  the  money,  he 
did  not  take  regard  of  his  own  person.  The 
reason  he  did  not,  was,  because  he  thought  the 
money  was  not  entirely  his  own.  He  received 
money  from  his  father,  but  did  not  use  the  whole 
sum  for  his  own  person.  He  laid  aside  a  great 
part  for  other  purposes,  especially  for  presents 
to  his  relatives  and  for  public  welfare.  For  he 
said  he  was  adult  enough  to  support  himself  by 
his  own  means. 

But  when  they  collected  for  a  relief  fund,  he 
spent  from  the  money,  reserved  for  himself. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  through  love  solely 
Will  ye  as  reward  achieve  true  happiness. 

Let  us  act  lovingly  by  peaceful  works, 
By  charity  and  pity  with  our  fellowmen. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES  OF  MR.   HUGH  BUSS  GODLOVER.      37 

If  we  follow  God  by  actions  of  love, 
He  can  surely  realize  our  happiness. 

Moreover  our  fellowmen,  if  treated  by  us  well, 
Will  favor  our  welfare  in  their  gratitude. 

Therefore,    happiness    accompanies    our    loving 

acts, 
Who  is  good  is  happy,  who  loveth  is  blessed. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  all  be  good, 

Then  all  we  shall  be  happy  and,  above  all,  God. 


38  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER    III. 

After  his  arrival  at  San  Francisco  young  Mr. 
Godlover  many  times  left  this  city,  in  order  to 
earn  his  living,  which  he  could  hardly  do  there, 
since  he  had  not  mastered  the  native  language. 
He,  therefore,  also — far  from  prejudice — decided 
to  do  manual  work,  and  as  he  would  earn  money 
by  good  means  only,  he  tilled  the  ground,  and 
worked  in  the  orchards.  He  then  went  to  the 
quarry  of  San  Bruno  to  do  common  labor.  But 
as  he  was  of  course  not  used  to  handle  pick  and 
shovel,  they  sent  him  to  the  crane.  Here  he 
was  nearly  killed  by  the  machine,  when  he  was 
grasped  by  its  rapidly  revolving  crank,  and 
vehemently  thrust  to  the  ground.  So  he  had  to 
quit  this  work,  but  the  wages  he  gave  to  a  poor 
man. 

Then  he  worked  at  Sacramento  in  a  fruit-can- 
nery. There  he  also  carried  away  the  dirt  from 
the  factory,  and  swept  the  street. 

Thus  he  learned  by  his  own  experience  the 
sufferings  of  the  laborers. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  be  ye  gentle  and  modest, 
And  never  proud  nor  haughty  to  your  fellowmen. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF    MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.       39 

Have  ye  pity  with  the  sufferings  of  your  fellow- 
men, 
Relieve  ye  their  sorrows,  soothe  ye  their  aches. 

Help  ye  the  poor  and  hungry,  help  ye  the  weak 

and  sick, 
Part  ye  with  them  your  food,  part  ye  with  them 

your  means. 

For  God  also  helpeth  us,  His  children, 
God  as  a  father  supporteth  each  of  us. 

God  loveth  the  giants  and  the  dwarfs, 

The  weak  and  the  strong,  the  poor  and  the  rich. 

God  inspireth  and  invigorateth  all  His  children 
That  they  shall  be  saved  in  their  struggles  with 
Satan. 

God  giveth  them  the  means,  God  giveth  them  the 

wealth, 
God  giveth  them  the  power,  God  giveth  them  the 

health. 

God  relieveth  us  from  dangers,  God  relieveth  us 

from  pains, 
God  relieveth  us  from  cruelties,  God  relieveth  us 

from  foes. 


40  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

God    possesseth  the    power,   God    knoweth  the 

means 
To  realize  the  happiness  of  His  good  children. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  trust  in  God, 
God  certainly  helpeth  us  in  all  our  affairs. 

Let  us  therefore  prove  our  gratitude  to  God, 
Let  us  love  God  for  His  infinite  love. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BLISS     GODLOVER.         41 

CHAPTER    IV. 

When  Mr.  Godlover  lived  in  Europe,  he  had 
studied  with  great  interest  political  economy. 
Modern  legislations  take  regard  of  men's  welfare 
chiefly  from  a  private  point  of  view.  To  reform 
the  private  system  into  a  social  one,  many  noble 
souls  devoted  their  lives.  But,  alas,  the  means 
that  they  used  were  not  always  quite  correct. 

Considering  history  and  his  own  life-experi- 
ences, Mr.  Godlover  regards  as  means  for  solving 
the  social  problem  peace  and  love. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  love  ye  each  of  us, 
Love  ye  all  of  us  and,  above  all,  God. 

Love  is  the  only  safe  way    by  which    we  shall 

succeed 
In  founding  public  welfare,  combined  with  our 

own. 

Workingmen,  employers  use  ye  peaceful  means, 
When  ye  settle  questions  of  mutual  interest. 

Though  without  servility  and  rigidity, 

Obey  ye  the  authorities  and  abide  ye  by  the  laws. 


42  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Communicate  ye  always  in  intelligence  and  love, 
In  the  spirit  of  love  will  problems  best  be  solved. 

The  spirit  not  the  form  is  the  essential  of  an  act, 
Therefore,  postpone  ye  ceremonies  and  formali- 
ties. 

Subdue  ye  also  low  emotions,  envy  and  contempt, 
Haughtiness,  covetousness,  avarice  and  greed. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  live  in  love, 
Since  we  are  all  children  of  our  beloved  God. 


Let  us  always  think  and  act  in  love, 
Let  us  love  all  of  us  and,  above  all,  God. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES  OF   MR.   HUGH   BLISS  GODLOVER.      43 

CHAPTER   V. 

To-day  Mr.  Godlover  is  convinced  of  such  a 
grave  mistake,  as  to  prosecute  and  punish  men 
for  their  misdeeds.  For  he  thinks  no  able  man 
would  knowingly  do  wrong  to  his  fellowmen.  If, 
therefore,  by  weakness  or  unknowingly  some 
men  do  wrong,  they  must  not  be  punished,  but 
ought  to  be  healed  and  corrected. 

As  most  beneficial  cure  he  regards  the  teaching 
of  the  true  word  of  God. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  forgive  your  fellowmen, 
Love  ye  each  the  other  and  in  this  way  God. 

Ye  surely  satisfy  the  wishes  of  God, 
If  ye  realize  solely  the  good. 

Let  us  all  be  good,  let  us  useful  be, 

Let  us  all  work  faithfully,  and  let  us  others  help. 

Overcome  ye  temptations  by  good  thoughts  and 

loving  deeds, 
Overcome    ye   enemies   and    wickedness    in   the 

spirit  of  love. 


44  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Overcome  ye  Satan's  temptations,  be  ye  strong 

enough, 
Be   ye  careful   in   your  actions,   be   ye   on   your 

guard. 

Satan  is  always  lurking  to  come  and  spoil 
Your  welfare,  and  to  poison  your  very  soul. 

If,  alas,  some  fall  victims  of  Satan's  attacks, 
Have  ye  pity  with  your  brothers,  do  not  blame 
them,  but  help. 

Do  not  shed  the  blood  of  brothers,  do  not  injure 

their  health, 
Do  not  bitter  their  feelings,  do  not  hurt  ye  their 

souls. 

Forgive  them  their  sins,  for  they  are  hardly  in 

guilt, 
But  surely  is  Satan  guilty,  while  they  sinned  by 

mistake. 

Crimes  are  committed  by  weakness  or  mistake, 
And  ought  never  to  be  punished,  but  corrected 
by  good  means. 

Heal  ye  the  sinners,  their  body  or  soul, 
Their  diseases,  and  bad  habits  of  them. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.      45 

Reeducate  ye  them,  they  are  like  children  often 
Who  need  the  loving  parents,  and  wisely  to  be 
taught. 

Teach  ye  them  readily  the  word  of  God, 
Be    your    feelings,    thoughts    and    deeds    always 
good. 


46  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Young  Mr.  Godlover  once  fell  sick,  so  that  he 
was  near  to  die.  He  had  lived  as  if  man  could 
eat  and  drink  for  pleasure  and  bodily  culture 
without  proper  regard  of  his  body's  wants.  When 
he  contracted  thus  a  serious  disease,  he  learned 
the  true  meaning  of  bodily  pains.  Fortunately 
he  did  not  use  dangerous  medicines,  and  not  least, 
because  of  his  strong  will,  soon  recovered. 

But  for  his  cure  he  had  to  thank,  above  all, 
God,  because  God  had  benignantly  guided  his 
thoughts. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  always  take  ye  care 
Of  your  body  by  adequate  means. 

Prevent  ye  diseases  by  temperateness, 

By  diet,  regularity  and  avoidance  of  excess. 

Avoid  ye  overeating  and  improper  food, 
Avoid  ye  every  intoxication  and  sexual  excess. 

Treat  ye  diseases  by  proper  medicines, 
As,  for  example,  fruits,  music  and  sunshine. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BLISS     GODLOVER.         47 

Be  ye  in  diseases  good,  willstrong  and  composed, 
By  love,  strong  will  and  calmness  is  illness  rather 
overcome. 

But  follow  ye  the  prescriptions  of  wise  physicians 

too; 
Obey  ye  prudently  the  laws  of  scientific  hygiene. 

According  to  these  laws  and  without  prudery, 
Without  false   shame,   nor  ascetism   conduct  ye 
your  life. 

God  has  designed  the  laws  which  ye  ought  to 
keep, 

In  order  that  ye  may  well  preserve  your  health. 

Health  and  beauty  will  be  your  rewards, 

If  ye  truly  realize  the  rules  advised  by  God. 

God  is  our  wisest  health-adviser, 

Follow  ye  God's  advices,  when  ye  suffer  pains. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  believe  ye  in  relief  by  God, 
And  let  us  thank  God  for  health  and  beauty. 

Let  us  all  be  healthy,  let  us  all  be  strong, 
Let  us  all  be  dexter,  fine  and  beautiful. 


48  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Health,  beauty  and  virtue,  combined  in  our  life, 
Will  bestow  happiness  on  us  and,  therefore,  on 
God. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.      49 

CHAPTER  VII. 

When  Mr.  Godlover  was  young,  his  body  was 
weak,  his  mind  rather  lax,  and  his  character 
wavering.  Hence  he  worked  only  with  great 
difficulties,  stumbled  often  at  easy  tasks,  and 
frequently  succumbed  to  temptations. 

Now,  after  much  experience  in  his  life,  he  is 
vigorous,  steadily  strong-minded  and  consciously 
good.  This  change  he  has  gradually  achieved  by 
his  own  will,  by  science  and,  above  all,  with  the 
help  of  God. 

Life  is  a  sound  school,  if  guided  by  God. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  trust  ye  all  in  God, 
And  have  ye  self-reliance  and  courage  too. 

Be  ye  strong  and  diligent  for  a  successful  life, 
Choose  a  task  that  suits  ye,  but  work  it  thor- 
oughly. 

Concentrate  your  forces,  and  spare  them  wisely 
By  silence  and  directing  them  to  the  chosen  task. 

Act  ye  by  good  habits,  keeping  at  once  in  mind 
The  end  and  the  requirements  of  your  task. 


50  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Work  it  resolutely  and  without  delay, 

Act  ye  calmly,  purposefully  and  with  energy. 

Act  ye  gradually,  without  violence 

Of  others'  feelings,  interests  and  of  their  rights. 

Respect  ye  their  rights,  abide  ye  by  the  laws, 
Fulfill  ye  your  duties  with  faithfulness. 

When  ye  have  thus  duly  fulfilled  your  work, 
Whatever  may  result  from  it,  trust  in  success  at 
last; 

Trust  ye  in  God's  infinite  help.  Rest  ye  peace- 
fully, 

Restore  your  health,  delight  yourselves  after 
working  time. 

Delight  yourselves  sublimely  in  benignancy, 
In  kindness,  favours,  bounty  and  in  charity. 

Hold  ye  love  as  guiding  principle  of  your  life, 
In  the  spirit  of  love  ye  always  will  succeed. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  by  goodness  and  by  love 
Will  ye  surely  achieve  salvation  of  your  soul. 

Surely  this  truth  ye  will  find  testified, 
If  ye  consider  earnestly  the  facts  of  life. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODLOVER.         51 

Give  ye  never  up  this  truth.    Expiate  misdeeds 
By  beneficence,  repentance  and  good  willingness. 

Recompense  ye  injuries,  bestow  ye  benefits, 
Regret  ye  wrongs  sincerely,  commit  them  never 
more. 

Have  ye  pity  with  the  creatures,  with  their  aches 

and  woes, 
With  languishing  animals  and  grieving  men. 

Refrain  ye  from  cruelties  to  the  animals, 
And  inflict  ye  never  pains  to  your  fellowmen. 

Comfort  ye  with  gladness,  relieve  ye  readily 
Sufferers  of  whatever  nation  or  creed. 

Love  ye  your  fellowmen,  be  ye  kind  to  them, 
Aim  ye  at  the  infinite  love  of  God. 

God,  our  eternal  Father,  loveth  all  of  us 
With  infinite  grace  as  children  of  His  own. 

Therefore,  brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  all  love 
God, 

Let  us  always  love  God  with  all  our  heart. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.      53 

BOOK   IIL 

CHAPTER    I. 

Life-experience  and  science  have  made  Mr. 
Godlover  a  true  believer  and  lover  of  God.  When 
he  was  young,  he  did  neither  conceive  God  as 
solely  good,  nor  did  he  clearly  know  the  true 
origin  of  evil.  Though  he  heard  of  Satan,  yet  he 
thought  that  Satan  was  but  a  superstition,  or  a 
poetical  personification  of  the  evil.  He  also 
imagined  God  as  the  allmight.  Therefore,  when 
he  was  struck  with  misery  in  his  love-affair,  he 
erroneously  inferred  that  God  was  responsible 
for  his  sufferings.  For,  if  God  has  an  absolute 
might,  then  he  can  prevent  persons  from  injuring 
others,  else  He  is  to  blame  for  it. 

Now  he   has  attained  the  true  -conception   of 
God.    He  comprehends  God  as 
the  infinite,  good  mind. 

Minds  are  individual  or  free  beings,  and  possess 
as  such  activities  and  properties.  God,  as  an 
infinite  or  perfect  mind,  is  eternal,  omnipresent, 
omniscient,  universally  powerful,  self-sufficient 
and  entirely  self-secluded  with  regard  to  Satan. 
As  self-identical  and  ever  consistent  with  His 


54  PACIFIC  TIDINGS. 

properties  God  is  perfectly  true.  The  character- 
istic property  of  God  is  goodness.  Goodness  or 
love  means  producing,  respecting  and  supporting 
minds.  God,  as  only  good,  omniscient  and  per- 
fectly true,  is  perfectly  wise,  and  the  gracious 
protector  and  propagator  of  all  science.  God,  as 
infinite  and  good,  is  the  eternal  Creator  of  all 
creatures. 

Creatures  are  thus  derived  from  God.  They 
are,  therefore,  minds,  and  virtually  equal  in  their 
endowments  to  God,  their  original  producer. 
Especially  they  all  possess  as  their  characteristic 
property  goodness.  But  in  fact  all  their  activities 
and  properties  are  impaired  at  their  very  begin- 
ning by  Satan's  infinite,  evil  power.  Creatures 
become  thus  infinitesimals.  In  order  to  actualize 
their  virtually  perfect  endowments  God,  contin- 
uing His  creation-work,  leads  them  by  love  to 
co-operation.  Co-operation  takes  place  in  the 
form  of  bodies.  Embodied  creatures  are  aggre- 
gates of  a  vast  number  of  finite  minds  with  one 
as  their  principal,  namely,  the  soul.  Through 
self-love,  love  of  their  mates,  offspring  and 
environment,  souls  come  to  cherish  love  for 
other  minds,  and  thus,  along  with  the  develop- 
ment of  their  thinking  faculty,  gradually 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES  OF  MR.   HUGH  BUSS  GODLOVER.      55 

become  conscious  of  this  their  truly  characteristic 
property,  and,  above  all,  the  love  of  God.  When 
this  goal  is  reached,  then  the  main  task  of  the 
embodied  life  is  fulfilled,  the  salvation  of  the  soul 
secured,  and  the  pure  mind  can  easily  develop 
without  the  body's  aid  and  encumbrance  in  an 
infinite  progress.  For  creatures,  though  deter- 
mined as  to  their  beginning,  have  an  everlasting, 
future  life,  as  God  preserves  them  for-ever.  Since 
all  creatures,  in  their  infinite  mass,  are  by  origin 
good,  therefore  always  tending  to  their  original 
character,  and  regularly  preserving  it,  so  that 
even  thence  God's  might  prevails  in  the  universe ; 
moreover,  as  every  mind  is  free,  a  hell,  in  the 
meaning  of  a  vast,  compulsory  abode,  does  not 
exist.  Thus  depraved  minds  have  also  in  their 
afterlife  always  the  freedom  to  become  good, 
and  they  will  become  so,  if  they  are  willful  and 
intelligent  enough.  For  pure,  good  minds  live  in 
blessedness ;  they  enjoy  the  most  pleasant  experi- 
ences. Therefore  men  ought  to  prepare  by  study 
and  social  intercourse  for  a  happy  afterlife. 
Embodied  life  is  thus  of  the  greatest  importance, 
and  this  the  more  as  embodiment  only  once 
occurs.  According  to  God's  design  a  happy  life 
is  quite  possible  also  during  embodiment;  for, 


56  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

not  only  God  patronizes  good  persons ;  but 
creatures  too,  by  their  own  will,  thankfully  pro- 
mote the  success  of  their  benefactors.  Hence 
men  who  live  on  earth  in  accordance  with  God's 
benignant  intentions,  and  follow  His  wise  coun- 
sels, at  last  always  enjoy  happiness.  From 
goodness  thus  follows  happiness.  God  as  only 
good  is,  therefore,  the  author  of  happiness  only. 

Misery  and  pains  are  consequences  of  evil, 
which  means  spoiling,  despising,  and  hindering 
minds.  Satan  as  the  infinite,  evil  mind  is  the 
eternal,  omnipresent,  omniscient,  and  universally 
mighty  cause  of  corruption,  disgrace,  and  ob- 
struction. Satan  as  an  only  evil  being  is  ever 
lurking  for  victims.  Creatures  because  of  their 
determinate  begin  are  necessarily  exposed  to  the 
attacks  of  Satan.  These,  however,  can  never 
result  in  total  destruction.  Annihilation  of  crea- 
tures is  impossible ;  moreover  God  supports  them 
for-ever.  But  creatures,  even  after  having  risen 
from  their  formerly  infinitesimal  state  by  devel- 
opment of  their  faculties,  suffer  yet  further  from 
Satan's  aggressions,  so  that  some  of  them  on 
account  of  his  confusions  erroneously  seek  to 
maintain  themselves  by  doing  evil  to  others, 
which,  however,  results  in  reciprocal  and  var- 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.      57 

iously  differentiated  pains.  The  purpose  of 
Satan's  confusions  is  destruction  even  of  his  own 
followers. 

Finite  minds  are  originally  good,  as  is  also 
proved  by  the  moral  feeling,  more  or  less  always 
abiding  in  men,  and  by  the  instinct  of  self-preser- 
vation. But  they  have  freedom  to  choose  the 
good  or  evil.  Those  who  are  good  follow  God, 
and  attain  happiness,  while  the  deceived  follow- 
ers of  Satan  suffer  from  their  own  misdeeds.  The 
vast  mass  of  finite  minds  called  "nature''  act 
almost  unconsciously.  Creatures  choosing  with 
true  consciousness,  therefore,  only  the  good,  and 
hence  their  happiness  are  but  among  those  who 
have  attained  to  a  higher  mental  stage. 

God's  might  predominates  in  the  universe.  This 
truth  is  conveyed  by  the  fact  that  development  is 
prevalent  everywhere ;  and  not  only  vital  develop- 
ment, but  also  actualization  of  the  ethical  prop- 
erty, as  the  latter  conditions  life  at  all.  Creatures 
thus  improving  in  their  character,  contribute  to 
the  might  of  God  that  supports  them  in  their 
struggles  wTith  that  of  Satan,  and  furthers  their 
progress.  Therefore,  a  cheerful  view  of  life  is 
justified. 


58  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  ye  all  be  taught 
That  in  truth  God  is  the  infinite,  good  mind. 

God  is  a  mind,  God  is  an  intellect, 
God  is  a  person,  who  feels  and  thinks. 

God  has  been  since  unbounded  past, 
God  is  present,  God  everlastingly  will  be. 

God  is  the  Creator  for  eternal  times 
Of  all  finite  minds  in  the  universe. 

God  loveth  all  His  creatures,  always  aiding  them 
In  their  struggles  with  Satan  that  aimeth  at  their 
death. 

God  knoweth  all  His  creatures,  all  their  suffer- 
ings, 
All  their  cravings,  strivings,  all  their  needs. 

God  satisfieth  them  by  the  best  means,  and  sus- 

taineth  them 
In  every  situation  and  at  every  time. 

God  hath  infinite  power  for  all  finite  minds. 
Living  throughout  the  infinite  scores  of  worlds. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   o?    MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.       59 

God  protecteth  and  promoteth  them,  so  that  they 

may  progress 
Embodied  and  in  their  pure-spiritual  life. 

God  only  loveth  them,  for  God  is  only  good, 
God  feeleth  but  sorrows  at  their  sins. 

God  never  punisheth  them  for  committed  sins, 
God  only  pitieth  and  forgiveth  misdoings. 

But  it  is  Satan,  alas,  that  injureth  men, 
He  pitiless  suppresseth,  and  cheateth  them. 

From  faintness  and  confusion    God    leads    His 

creatures  on 
To  power  and  enlightenment  by  the  way  of  love. 

When  minds  have  thus  attained  to  full  conscious- 
ness, 

To  reason  and  to  wisdom,  then  they  know  the 
good. 

Then  they  know  how  to  choose  it  during  their 

earth-life, 
And  yet  more    easily    hereafter    as  unembodied 

minds. 

According  to  your  conviction  choose  ye  the  good, 
And  without  vow  or  stiff  obligement  realize  ye  it. 


60  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

That  ye  may  be  able  to  choose  in  truth  the  good, 
Diligently  study  ye,  and  gain  experiences. 

God  giveth  ye  for  improvements  opportunities, 
Avail  yourselves  of  them  that  ye  might  succeed. 

But  in  good  acts  only  will  ye  success  attain, 
Because  God  patronizeth  good  plans  exclusively. 

God  favoreth  and  furthereth   the  welfare  of  all 

men, 
Therefore  by  love  solely  is  success  assured. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  freely  can  ye  choose 
The  good,  with  which  is  bound  success  and  hap- 
piness. 

The  goods  to  be  attained  by  men  are  different 

indeed, 
They  differ  as  there  differ  men  themselves. 

But  there  is  one  good  attainable  by  men, 
By  every  soul,  namely,  love  of  God. 

Love  of  God  wrill  lead  to  all  good  acts, 

And,  therefore,  bestow  on  us  always  happiness. 

Happiness  on  earth,  happiness  hereafter, 
Happiness   of  ours  and,   therefore,   happiness  of 
God. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODLOVER.         61 

CHAPTER   II. 

And  it  came  to  pass  that  young  Mr.  Godlover 
undertook  his  work  for  the  sake  of  mankind.  But 
for  a  long  time  he  only  dimly  knew  that  God 
guided  him  with  providence.  By  considering 
past  events  he  became  fully  convinced  of  this 
truth. 

God  in  His  perfect  wisdom  foresees  the  future, 
though  of  course  only  as  most  probable,  because 
of  Satan's  counteractions,  and  as  finite  minds  act 
with  freedom. 

God  is  our  eternal  Father  who  with  providence 
For  our  welfare  always  graciously  careth. 

God  knoweth  all  His  children,  all  their  needs, 
God  knoweth  their  longings  and  endeavorings. 

God  perfectly  knoweth  their  development, 

The  entire  past  of  them  and  most  probable  future. 

God  in  His  love,  therefore,  accordingly  provideth 
The  best  means  for  the  needs  of  His  children. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  apply  ye  all  to  God 
Of  whose  perfectly  wise  advice  ye  can  avail  your- 
selves. 


62  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

When  ye  are  distressed  or  before  grave  decisions, 
Ask  ye  God  consciously  for  His  kind  advice. 

That  ye  may  readily  receive  God's  inspirations, 
Seclude  ye  from  the  world,  and  strongly  concen- 
trate yourselves. 

But  be  yourselves   at  once   open,   in  peace   and 

harmony, 
Be  ye  kindhearted,  and  good,  that  God  may  guide 

your  thoughts. 

While  thus  susceptible  of  inspired  thoughts, 
Think  ye  at  once  for  yourselves  and  definitely. 

Discriminate,  and  follow  ye  what  ye  are  con- 
vinced of, 

To  be  your  better  inner  voice ;  that  realize  ye 
resolutely. 

God  in  His  infinite  love  will  surely  then  provide 
The  best  that  fits  to  your  success  and  wellbeing. 

Therefore,  brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  thankful  be 
To  our  gracious  God  for  His  providing  love. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BLISS     GODLOVER.         63 

CHAPTER  III. 

Before  Mr.  Godlover  had  recognized  the  true 
meaning  of  this  life,  he  did  not  know  what  God 
wishes  men  to  do,  that  their  conduct  should  be 
good.  He  thought  men  had  chiefly  to  struggle 
for  the  preservation  of  the  body,  further  to  beget 
children,  in  order  to  preserve  themselves  and 
mankind  for  the  future.  The  pleasures  resulting 
from  these  actions  he  regarded  as  the  most  of 
human  happiness.  He  did  not  believe  in  an  ever- 
lasting afterlife.  Therefore,  he  did  not  know  that 
according  to  God's  intentions  men  have  to  submit 
their  conduct  to  higher  principles. 

But  now,  after  having  attained  to  truth,  he 
considers  quite  differently  the  tasks  of  men's  life 
on  earth.  As  the  embodiment  of  finite  minds  has 
for  its  purpose  the  realization  of  their  virtually 
boundless  endowments,  especially  the  achieve- 
ment of  consciousness  of  their  original  property, 
namely,  love  and,  above  all,  the  love  of  God,  he 
regards  as  principal  life-task  the  cultivation  of  the 
faculties  of  the  soul.  Men  ought  to  acquire  dur- 
ing their  life  on  earth  ethical  values,  for  these 
constitute  the  conditions  for  a  happy,  everlasting 


64  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

afterlife.  Further  a  most  general  education  is  of 
the  greatest  importance.  The  acquisition  of 
bodily  qualities  and  material  wealth  are  but  of 
secondary  interest,  namely,  as  necessary  means 
for  attaining  and  exercising  the  intellectual  prop- 
erties. The  individual  that  succeeds  in  these 
tasks,  ought  further  to  transmit  his  properties  to 
an  offspring,  and  to  promote  the  tendencies  of  his 
environment  in  the  same  direction. 

Well  educated  persons  who  have  thus  fulfilled 
the  duties  of  their  earthly  life,  are  prepared  for 
a  happy,  pure-spiritual  life,  into  which  they  may 
pass  over  with  perfect  equanimity,  after  sufficient 

4 

enjoyment  of  the  pleasures  of  this  world.  Death 
under  such  conditions  ought,  therefore,  not  at  all 
to  be  dreaded,  but  rather  be  regarded  as  true 
birth,  as  birth  in  a  wider  and  holy  environment, 
the  heaven.  Here  the  soul  can  enter  with  the 
most  cheerful  hopes,  for  above  such  pleasures  as 
full  recognition  of  truth,  and  free  intercourse  with 
highly  cultivated  intellects,  blessedness  is  attained 
by  a  pure-spiritual,  loving  relationship  to  God. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  fully  use  ye  the  chance, 
Given  ye  by  God  to  educate  your  minds. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODLOVER.         65 

While  ye  are  yet  living  embodied  on  earth, 
Accomplish  ye  the  development  of  your  faculties. 

Though  this  task  may  be  often  difficult, 
Never  be  despondent  in  aiming  at  your  goal. 

The  eternal  goal  is  worthy  surely  by  all  means, 
Sacrificing  earthly  pleasures  in  the  case  of  choice. 

Attain  ye  to  intelligence  while  yet  in  this  life, 
Cultivate  your  faculties,  refine  ye  your  minds. 

Discipline  your  will,  purify  your  soul, 
Acquire  ye  properties  of  everlasting  worth. 

Recognize  ye  consciously  the  precious  property, 
Entailed  on  ye  by  God,  namely,  love. 

Love  ye  men  and  yourselves,  but  above  all,  God, 
Love  of  God  will  bestow  happiness  on  ye. 


66  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

While  Mr.  Godlover  was  writing  this  work, 
he  had  often  to  struggle  hard  to  overcome  Satan. 
But  he  succeeded  by  his  strong  will,  by  scientific 
knowledge,  and,  above  all,  by  the  help  of  God. 
God  gave  him  the  power,  God  inspired  him  with 
good  thoughts,  so  that  he  could  overcome  Satan. 

Whosoever  constantly  follows  God,  this  soul 
God  can  promote  in  achieving  success.  Finite 
minds  act  freely  in  choosing  the  good,  therefore 
they  themselves,  principally,  determine  and  jus- 
tify their  fate.  Indeed,  all  finite  minds  suffer  from 
Satan's  temptations,  the  possibly  corrupting  influ- 
ence of  their  surroundings,  and  the  inherited  sin- 
ful tendencies,  so  that  their  freedom  is  really  often 
very  precarious.  But  since  they  also  enjoy  the 
virtuous  properties  entailed  on  them,  and  often 
the  advantages  of  an  improving  environment, 
every  imperfection  can,  without  insuperable  diffi- 
culties, be  amended  by  strength  of  will  and 
knowledge,  whereas  Satan's  evil  might  is  over- 
come with  the  help  of  God. 


OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODU)VE)R.         67 

Brethren  and  sisters,  by  energetic  will 
May  ye  overcome  evil  and  sin. 

Satan  is  the  origin  of  all  evil  in  the  world, 
All  vices  and  temptations  originate  from  him. 

With  Satan  converse  ye  never,  but  if  he  tempteth 

ye, 

Be  your  will  strong,  know  ye  clearly  the  peril. 

Will  and  knowledge  are  requisite  indeed 
That  ye  may  succeed  in  any  of  your  works. 

But  most  important  for  success  and  indispensible 
Are  God's  grace  and  blessing,  His  infinite  love. 

God  favoreth  His  creatures,  for  God  is  only  good, 
God  never  tempteth  them  whose  character  He 
knoweth. 

The  character  of  all  creatures  is  originally  good, 

And  God  inspireth  loving  thoughts  exclusively  in 
them. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  believe  ye  in  God's  love, 
Thank  ye  God,  and  love  ye  God  with  all  your 
soul. 


68  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER   V. 

When  the  sad  disaster  of  San  Francisco  came 
to  pass,  most  of  the  inflicted  inhabitants  of  this 
city  had  indulged  in  wickedness.  Therefore,  they 
freely  submitted  to  Satan,  so  that  he  could 
entangle  them  in  the  effects  of  the  catastrophe. 
But  righteous  people  came  to  loss  by  their 
obstinacy,  notwithstanding  the  benignant  warn- 
ings of  God.  Yet  it  was  imagined  by  many 
people  that  God  was  the  cause  of  the  misery. 
For  God  they  erroneously  supposed  is  omnipo- 
tent, hence  He  could  avert  the  calamity. 

The  truth,  however,  is  that  events  in  nature  are 
the  results  of  many  factors,  especially  of  those 
finite  minds  that  act  but  in  dim  consciousness. 
They,  therefore,  almost  passively  submit  them- 
selves either  to  God's  benevolent  guidance,  or  to 
the  malevolent  perversions  of  Satan  till  this 
behaviour  becomes  regular  and  established  law. 
On  these  grounds  natural  events  and  miracles 
have  to  be  explained. 

Natural  events  are  thus  only  as  far  as  they 
tend  to  beneficence,  the  expressions  of  God's 
wisdom.  Satan's  corrupting  activities  involved 
in  such  occurrences  cannot,  however,  afflict  with 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES     OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS     GODLOVER.         69 

misery  righteous  men,  because  God  by  His  wise 
means  withholds  them  from  dangers,  or  if  they 
nevertheless  arbitrarily  go  into,  God  lets  them, 
as  all  His  creatures,  escape  from  injuries,  and  in 
any  case  alleviates  their  sufferings.  God  never 
punishes,  and  never  smites  men  by  disasters. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  God  is  only  good, 
God  is  the  author  of  only  good  effects. 

God  createth  minds,  God  sustaineth  them, 
God   relieveth   them   in    dangers,    and   assuageth 
their  pains. 

But  evil  and  disasters  in  the  universe 

Are  only  caused  by  Satan's  corrupting  might. 

He  enticeth  men  by  vain  and  void  allurements, 
In  order  to  corrupt  them  with  perfidiousness  at 
last. 

Therefore,  brethren  and  sisters,  be  ye  on  your 

guard, 
Refuse  ye  all  temptations,  avoid  ye  vanities. 

If  ye  wisely  follow  God's  faithful  advice, 
Ye  will  never  be  entangled  in  dangers  and  dis- 
tress. 


70  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

God  keepeth  ye  off  from  dangers  by  a  good  inner 

voice, 
And  by  inspirations,  transmitted  by  good  minds. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  trust  ye  in  God's  help, 
What  God  does,  that  is  well  done;  trust  ye  in 
God's  love. 

God  is  our  infinitely  mighty  benefactor, 

God  is  our  eternal  Father  who  only  loveth  us. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.      71 


CHAPTER   VI. 

After  the  failure  in  his  love-affair,  young  Mr. 
Godlover  was  on  the  verge  of  suicide.  But  when 
he  was  about  to  perform  his  plan,  God  saved 
miraculously  his  life  in  the  right  moment.  By 
the  voice  of  a  good  soul,  God  gave  him  to  know 
that  he  could  be  helped.  When  he  quite  suddenly 
heard  this  voice,  he  refrained  from  further  steps. 

God  manifests  Himself  by  receptive,  good 
minds.  Such  minds  submit  themselves  to  the 
control  of  God.  Therefore  they  realize  by  their 
acts  mostly  the  inspirations  of  God. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  follow  God, 
God  is  our  guide  and  aid  in  every  distress. 

God  knoweth  our  griefs  and  our  agonies, 
God   knoweth   the   means   also   for   comfort   and 
relief. 

God  useth  the  best  means,  He  useth  them  with 

the  care 
Of  a  heartily  good  father  for  us,  His  children. 


72  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

If  we  act  according  to  God's  fatherly  advice, 
We  can  hope  with  cheerfulness  for  redemption 
and  redress. 

Let  us  be  attentive  and  judicious, 

In  order  to  recognize  counsels  of  God. 

Let  us  be  judicious  and  distinguish  them 
From  Satan's  falsities,  misleadings  and  deceits. 

Through  the  voice  of  some  of  His  followers 
God    expresseth    sometimes    more    clearly    His 
thoughts. 

Let  us  associate  the  followers  of  God, 
Let  us  choose  good  persons  only  as  teachers  and 
as  friends. 

They  can  act  as  organs  of  God's  inspiring  might, 
They  are  the  favoured  media  often  of  God's  per- 
fectly wise  thoughts. 

As  media  they  are  fallible;  therefore  examine 
their  word; 

Believe  it,  if  ye  find  it  true ;  the  good  faith,  how- 
ever, respect  ye. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES   OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.      73 

Respect  ye  and  acknowledge  ye  the  true  counsels 

of  them, 
Accept  ye  them  as  guides  to  your  happiness. 

Happiness  will  follow,  if  ye  take  regard 
Of  their  admonition,  the  kind  advice  of  God. 

God  advises  men  to  live  in  harmony, 

To  assist  each  other,  to  co-operate  in  peace. 

To  realize  the  good,  from  which  always  proceeds 
Their  happiness  on  earth  as  well,  as  everlastingly 
hereafter. 

Therefore,    brethren   and    sisters,    let   us    always 

love, 
And  let  us  love  all  for  the  sake  of  our  God. 


74  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Mr.  Godlover  had  once  read  in  some  book  of  a 
new  type  of  man.  The  character  of  these  new 
men  would  become  established,  if  men  would 
renounce  all  their  bad  habits,  but  preserve  and 
explicate  their  good  ones,  and  thus  become  per- 
fectly good. 

That  in  the  near  future  a  better  type  of  man, 
than  that  of  to-day  will  be  raised.  Mr.  Godlover 
considers  as  readily  verifiable.  For  it  is  evident 
that  men  will  excellently  improve,  if  their  con- 
duct is  guided  by  God,  as  they  have  received  from 
God  the  rules  for  a  truly  good  life.  God  knows 
what  is  best  fitted  for  men's  welfare ;  therefore 
men  ought  to  respect  God's  counsel. 

According  to  God's  fatherly  admonition  mod- 
ern men  have  to  correct  the  principles,  by  which 
they  rule  their  conduct.  The  main  features  of 
such  a  reform  would  have  to  consist  as  follows. 

It  ought  to  be  clear  to  all  men  what  the 
purpose  of  this  earthly  life  is.  The  main  purpose 
of  the  embodiment  of  the  soul  is  that  men  may 
realize  themselves,  especially  become  conscious 
of  their  original  and  characteristic  quality,  name- 
ly* goodness  for  a  full  enjoyment  of  the  ever- 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES    OF     MR.     HUGH     BUSS    GODLOVER.         75 

lasting  life  hereafter.  To  this  principal  purpose 
all  the  problems  of  human  life  have  to  be  sub- 
mitted. Therefore,  firstly  and  immediately,  an 
adequate  change  of  the  present  educational  sys- 
tem is  urgently  necessary;  as  abandoning  the 
regular  study  of  dead  languages,  and  adoption  of 
a  universal  language ;  further  reducing  the  study 
of  unimportant  disciplines.  The  time  thus  won 
ought  to  be  employed  especially  for  a  more  inten- 
sive, ethical  education. 

The  second  main  point  of  the  reform  is  to  bring 
about  a  change  of  man's  present  hygienic  rules, 
namely,  restriction  and  gradual  abandoning  of 
any  meat-diet,  but,  on  the  other  side,  full  appre- 
ciation of  the  physiological  benefits  available  by 
fruit  and  cereal  nutriments;  also  gradual  aban- 
doning of  intoxicating  drinks,  tobacco  and  other 
mistakes,  for  all  of  which  measures,  even  more 
ethical  and  social  reasons  categorically  appeal. 
Private  interests  involved  in  these  reforms  should 
be  compensated  by  public  funds. 

The  third  main  point  of  the  reform  consists  in 
the  lawful  introduction  of  the  social  state,  as, 
e.  g.,  by  a  proper  derogation  of  the  laws  of  pri- 
vate inheritance.  The  legislative  steps  relating 
to  this  point  should  thus  respect  the  at  present 


76  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

existing  facts.  Careful  regard  should  be  taken  of 
private  interests,  of  the  individual's  feelings,  etc. ; 
but  immediately  wars  should  be  abandoned,  and 
also  public  institutions  immediately  introduced 
for  correcting  criminals  by  ethical  and  thera- 
peutic means.  A  system  grounded  on  direct  eco- 
nomic co-operation  of  men  should  be  decided 
upon  by  an  international  congress.  The  further 
legislation  concerning  this  point  should  be  the 
task  of  the  national  authorities. 

The  fourth  point  of  the  reform  is  that  every 
man  may  have  his  living  guaranteed  by  the  state 
of  which  he  is  a  citizen.  The  duty  on  the  side  of 
the  citizen  would  be  to  perform  the  work 
assigned  to  him  by  the  authorities  of  the  state. 
The  work  to  be  done  by  the  citizens  should  be  in 
accord  with  their  individuality  and  sex.  Every 
citizen  who  has  fulfilled  his  work  should  receive 
a  credit  for  such  goods  as  would  suit  with  his 
intellectual  and  bodily  wants.  By  these  regula- 
tions diseases  and  crimes  would  be  diminished  to 
the  utmost. 

The  fifth  point  of  the  reform  refers  to  the 
matrimonial  problem.  Marriages  should  be  per- 
mitted and  favored  by  the  authorities  with  careful 
regard  to  personal  freedom  and  public  welfare. 


OF   MR.    HUGH   BLISS   GODLOVER.      77 

The  sanctity  of  matrimonial  covenants,  the  free- 
dom in  their  dissolving,  and  monogamy,  as  far  as 
existing  already,  should  be  fully  respected. 

The  principles  of  freedom  with  respect  to 
creed,  scientific  tenet,  and  political  opinion  ought 
as  well  to  be  legislatively  recognized,  as  the  duty 
of  the  authorities  by  proper  means  to  clear  up  the 
errors  of  the  individual. 

The  great  beneficial  consequences  of  such  a 
reform  are  surely  to  follow.  General  prosperity 
of  mankind  will  be  its  effect,  happiness  of  men 
during  this  life,  happiness  in  their  afterlife  and, 
above  all,  happiness  of  God. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  accept  ye  the  advice, 
Given  unto  ye  benignantly  by  God. 

God  in  His  omniscience  knoweth  perfectly 
Your  deficiencies  and  the  means  for  your  salva- 
tion. 

Trust  ye  all  in  God,  follow  ye  God's  advice 

Whose  fatherly  wish  it  is  to  establish  your  happi- 
ness. 

Therefore,  brethren  and  sisters,  let  us  co-operate 
For  personal  salvation  and  that  of  mankind. 


78  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

Live  ye  in  peace,  live  ye  in  joy, 
Live  ye  always  in  joyful  peace. 

Love  ye  your  neighbour,  love  ye  him 
By  heartily  feelings,  thoughts  and  deeds. 

Care  ye  for  their  bodily  and  mental  wellbeing; 
Care  ye  for  your  own  health  by  proper  means. 

Forgive  ye  the  outlaws  their  misdeeds, 
Correct  ye  their  errors  in  a  loving  way. 

Correct  ye  your  children,  improve  ye  them ; 
Improve  ye  your  own  persons  and  know  ye  the 
truth. 

Brethren  and  sisters,  parents  and  children, 
Husbands  and  wives,  strangers  and  relatives ; 

Citizens  and  neighbors,  authorities  and  subjects: 
Meet  ye  with  respect  and  work  ye  in  the  spirit 
of  love. 

Love  ye  each  the  other,  love  ye  heartily, 
Love  ye  with  reason,  love  ye  by  deeds. 

If  ye  love  each  other,  ye  love  also  God; 

Love  ye  and  respect  ye  God  your  eternal  Father. 


LIFE-EXPERIENCES  OF  MR.   HUGH  BUSS  GODLOVER.      79 

Surely   happiness   will   follow  from   the   love   of 

God; 
Happiness  of  ours  and,  above  all,  happiness  of 

God. 


Part  III. 


The  System  of  the  Divine 
Religion. 

INTRODUCTION. 

The  chief  principle  of  the  Divine  Religion  is 
love  of  God.  Love  of  God  leads  to  all  other  good 
actions.  Happiness  is  always  consequent  to  good 
actions,  therefore  its  establishment  requires  a 
good  conduct.  Men  are  good  if  they  aim  to  pro- 
duce lives,  or  respect  and  support  either  their 
own  or  others'.  The  others  may  include  a  more 
or  less  limited  circle,  which  men  have  the  free- 
dom themselves  to  determine.  They  ought  to  do 
this  consciously  and  with  reason,  so  that  their 
actions  may  be  guided  by  principles.  Persons 
whose  conduct  is  guided  by  clear  principles,  can 
to  some  degree  foresee  their  success. 

Men  are  finite  beings,  while  God  is  infinite. 
Hence  the  field  of  man's  activity  is  different  from 
that  of  God's.  Men's  activity  is  restricted  to 
limits  which  will  vary  according  to  their  char- 
acter, and  the  aim  of  their  actions.  Mankind 
constitutes  the  widest  social  group.  Welfare  of 
mankind  will,  therefore,  be  a  rather  remote  goal 


84  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

of  men's  actions.  But  within  that  group  stand 
others,  as  race,  nation,  the  circle  of  friends,  and 
the  family  that  thus  form  less  distant  limits  for 
men's  conduct.  How  far  men  ought  to  trans- 
cend or  to  restrict  these  limits,  depends  on  cir- 
cumstances. Principally  avoiding  of  cruelty  to 
animals  and  of  a  narrow  egoism  will  in  ordinary 
cases  direct  men  to  the  good  action. 

Persons  who  act  well,  act  in  accordance  with 
God,  as  God  is  only  good.  But  as  God  is  a  self- 
sufficient  being,  men  can  realize  their  love  of 
God  directly  only  by  respecting  Him,  whereas 
indirectly  also  by  aiming  to  generate,  or  by 
respecting  and  supporting  creatures  and  them- 
selves, actions  which  they  will  choose  in  practical 
life  according  to  principles.  Good  actions  con- 
sistently and  persistently  pursued  will  bestow 
happiness  on  men  and,  therefore,  also  on  God. 


THE     SYSTEM     OF    THE    DIVINE    RELIGION.  85 

A.     Fundamental  Conceptions  and   Their 
Proof. 

The  fundamental  conceptions  of  the  Divine 
Religion  are  those  of  God,  the  creatures  and 
Satan. 

The  reality  of  God  is  proved,  since  an  infinite, 
intelligent  cause  of  the  universe  that  corresponds 
to  the  religious  sentiments  cherished  by  men  evi- 
dently exists.  For,  firstly,  every  effect  has  its 
cause;  secondly,  the  universe  as  an  effect  exhibits 
wise  design;  further,  the  idea  of  infinitude,  being 
recognized  by  the  human  mind,  presupposes  as  an 
attribute  also  the  substance  to  which  it  adheres. 
Moreover,  answering  man's  religious  longings, 
an  inner  voice  slightly  but  categorically  assures 
him  that  this  being  is  God ;  a  voice  that  under 
proper  conditions  raises  to  clearer  inspirations, 
and  at  times  to  a  revelation  of  God. 

That  man  himself  is  real  and  an  individual 
being,  follows  from  his  very  thinking  and  will- 
determinations,  whereas  his  alliance  to  all  other 
creatures  is  obvious  from  the  fact  of  evolution. 
This  relationship,  at  once,  verifies  the  proposition 
that  creatures  have  a  common  origin,  namely, 


86  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

God.  As  God  is  the  originator  and  wise  designer 
of  creatures,  and  therefore  essentially  good; 
moreover,  since  creatures  themselves,  as  offspring 
of  God,  are  originally  also  good,  neither  from 
God  nor  the  creatures  can  evil  originate,  for  that 
were  wholly  inconsistent  with  the  character  of 
both,  and  at  once  a  flagrant  violation  of  the  law 
of  contradiction,  in  accordance  with  which  all 
sound  reasoning  proceeds. 

But  the  same  logical  law  clearly  implies  also 
the  proof  of  the  existence  of  Satan,  as  the 
originator  of  evil,  which  truth  is  corroborated  by 
the  fact  that  creatures  are  finite,  though  their 
originator  is  infinite. 


THE     SYSTEM     OF    THE    DIVINE    RELIGION.  87 

I.    THE  CONCEPTION  OF  GOD. 

God  is  the  infinite,  good  mind. 

God  is  a  mind  or  individual  being.  Every 
mind  is  active,  thus  also  God.  God's  activity  is 
only  good,  because  God's  character  is  entirely 
good  or  holy.  God,  because  of  His  goodness,  is 
the  continuous  creator  of  all  creatures  whom  He 
respects,  furthers  and  sustains  for-ever.  God,  in 
His  kind  feelings,  sympathizes  with  His  crea- 
tures, and  has  for  them  only  love,  sorrow  and 
pity.  He  loves  them,  as  a  father  loves  his  chil- 
dren, and  feels  sorrows  with  the  wicked  that  He 
but  pities  and  never  punishes.  God  as  an  infinite 
mind,  having  neither  beginning,  nor  a  limit  in 
future,  is  eternal.  He  is  therefore  since  boundless 
times  creating  His  creatures,  and  in  His  infini- 
tude realizes  for  them  His  inspiring  power 
throughout  the  universe.  God,  as  an  infinite  or 
perfect,  and  only  good  mind  thinks  perfectly  and 
truly.  God  in  His  infinite  personality  is  omni- 
present, inspiring  all  creatures,  and  immanently 
conversing  with  them ;  thence  He  is  omniscient. 
As  a  perfect  intellect  God  is  provident  also,  but 
as  far  as  providence  is  possible  with  regard  to 
minds  whose  character  is  signified  by  freedom,  as 


88  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

a  primordial  principle.  God  thinks  perfectly  truly, 
because  He  is  always  consistent  with  Himself, 
namely,  perfectly  good ;  but  God  is  with  perfect 
judgment  good  or  perfectly  wise,  and  in  so  far 
perfectly  just,  because  His  creatures,  in  conse- 
quence of  their  freedom,  have  different  characters 
that  are  recognized  by  God. 


THE     SYSTEM     OF    THE    DIVINE    RELIGION.  89 

II.     THE  CONCEPTION   OF  CREATURES. 

Creatures  are  finite,  originally  good  minds. 

Creatures  are  minds,  because  God  originates 
them  of  His  own  substance.  He  originates  them 
necessarily  so  and  not  out  of  nothing,  as  nothing 
does  not  exist.  God  creates  them  free,  because 
God  Himself  as  a  mind  is  individual.  All  crea- 
tures are  originally  good,  because  of  their  origin 
from  God;  but  as  to  their  faculties  they  are 
actually  finite,  notwithstanding  their  originator 
Himself  is  infinite.  Creatures  become  finite  at 
their  very  creation,  because  of  the  suppressing 
counteraction  of  Satan.  Creatures  are  thus  at 
their  origination  not  only  infinitesimals,  but  in 
this  weakness  also  confused.  While  they,  there- 
fore, are  wavering  with  regard  to  their  character- 
istic quality,  though  at  once  tending  to  it  because 
of  its  original  possession,  the  infinite  multitude  of 
them,  for  the  very  latter  reason,  principally  pre- 
serve the  inherited  goodness  by  habits,  and  only 
exceptionally  some  of  them  fall,  having  become 
habitually  depraved  in  their  character  that  all 
transmit  to  their  descendants. 

But  God  in  His  infinite  wisdom  has  for  His 
creatures  designed  the  way  by  which  their  poten- 


90  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

tially  as  perfect  inherited  faculties  can,  in  an 
infinite  progress,  become  actualized,  namely,  by 
love.  It  is  a  way  gloomy  at  its  starting,  weari- 
some during  its  passage,  which  is  often  indeed  a 
passing  through  thorns  and  thistles,  but  eternal 
light :  happiness  and  bliss  beckon  at  its  goal. 
Love  leads  creatures  together,  so  that  they  may 
co-operate,  as  co-operation  strengthens  the  indi- 
viduals. Primitive  and  simple  is  this  co-opera- 
tion at  first,  and  easily  soluble  the  communion. 
But  complicated  and  refined  become  the  co-oper- 
ative bodies,  the  higher  creatures  ascend  in  the 
course  of  evolution.  These  co-uperative  bodies 
consist  of  minds  among  which  one,  as  ruling 
principal,  constitutes  the  soul.  By  ruling  the 
body  in  self-love  embodied  souls  learn  to  develop 
their  virtually  infinite  capacities,  the  explication 
of  which  reaches  higher  levels  in  the  sexual, 
parental  and  patriotic  love,  but  foremost  in  a 
love  corresponding  to  the  most  lofty  Divine  love. 
Souls  who  have  attained  an  actual  possession  of 
a  sufficient  fund  of  real  values,  especially  have 
achieved  consciousness  of  their  original  property, 
love,  and,  above  all,  the  love  of  God,  may  thus 
strengthened  and  improved  in  character,  inde- 


THE     SYSTEM     OF     THE    DIVINE     RELIGION.  91 

pendently   develop   after   solution   of   the   bodily 
union  in  their  afterlife. 

Creatures  have  an  everlasting  life,  because  God 
in  His  goodness  and  by  His  infinite  power  pro- 
tects them  for-ever  against  the  attacks  of  Satan. 
Only  their  embodied  life  has  a  limited  future,  and 
it  ceases,  when  the  harmoniously  concatenated 
assemblage  of  minds,  as  represented  by  the  living 
body,  is  solved  at  death.  Thus  the  soul  is  freed 
from  its  former  connection,  and  commences 
immediately  an  everlasting,  pure-spiritual  life,  as 
embodiment  only  once  occurs.  Neither  does 
reincarnation  take  place,  nor  have  souls  a  pre- 
existence,  but  they  come  to  existence  only  by 
reproduction  of  their  parents  of  whose  substance 
they  consist,  and  whom  they  therefore  resemble. 
The  afterlife  of  good  souls  is  happy,  for  happiness 
always  follows  goodness.  Of  sensual  pleasures 
they  are  then  of  course  incapable,  but  they  delight 
in  pleasures  flowing  from  the  activities  of  the 
pure  mind.  Their  activity  varies  according  to  the 
stage  of  development  they  have  attained  to,  and 
consciously  good  souls  will  partake  as  angels  of 
God's  eternal,  holy  work  in  supporting  finite 
minds,  relieving  them  from  sufferings  and  fur- 
thering of  their  good  endeavours.  Such  loving 


92  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

deeds,  and  an  unconstrained  intercourse  with  rel- 
atives, friends,  or  highly  intelligent  minds,  more- 
over, an  all-comprehensive  recognition  of  truth,  as 
only  possible  after  becoming  free  from  the  bodily 
encumbrance  and  diversions,  but,  above  all,  a 
pure,  loving  relationship  to  God,  contribute  to 
render  the  unembodied  life  of  good  souls  truly 
happy.  Since  minds  have  always  freedom  to 
choose  the  good  or  evil,  and  even  for  this  reason 
a  hell  in  the  sense  of  a  compulsory,  penitentiary 
abode,  for  everlasting  damnation,  does  not  exist, 
depraved  minds,  who  of  course  suffer  from  their 
evil-doing,  will  if  they  are  willstrong  and  intelli- 
gent enough  in  fact  become  good,  and  enjoy  the 
bliss  and  harmony,  swaying  in  the  realm  of  God, 
the  heaven.  The  infinite  space  is  predominantly 
heaven,  since  the  infinite  number  of  finite  minds, 
as  derived  from  God,  are  originally  good;  and, 
moreover,  the  most  influential  finite  minds  are 
truly  conscious,  hence  actually  good.  Thus  God's 
might  prevails  over  that  of  Satan.  This  truth  is 
also  evident  from  the  fact  that  finite  minds  live, 
and  in  the  main  progress. 


THE     SYSTEM     OF    THE    DIVINE    RELIGION.  93 

III.    THE  CONCEPTION  OF  SATAN. 

Satan  is  the  infinite,  evil  mind.  Satan  as  an 
infinite  mind  is  an  eternal,  omnipresent,  omnis- 
cient, and  universally  mighty,  individual  being. 
Satan's  activity  is  only  evil,  which  means  deprav- 
ing, despising  and  hindering  minds.  The  victims 
of  Satan's  activity  are  the  creatures,  because  they 
have  begin.  God  as  an  infinite  mind  is  entirely 
secluded  from  Satan,  and  in  His  goodness  sup- 
ports His  creatures  for-ever.  The  attacks  of 
Satan  on  them  can,  therefore,  never  result  in  their 
annihilation,  but  tempted  and  confused  by  Satan, 
and  then  following  him,  creatures  do  evil  to 
themselves  or  others,  which  always  has  misery 
and  pains  as  consequences  for  either  part. 

Careless  concentrating  the  thoughts  on  Satan 
disturbs,  and  exposes  to  illness.  Therefore  men, 
though  being  conscious  of  Satan's  activity,  and 
well  on  their  guard,  may  avoid  that  grave  danger, 
and  peacefully  rest  in  God,  their  infinitely  mighty, 
and  truly  loving  benefactor. 


94  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

B.     The  Love  of  God. 

Love  of  God  ought  to  be  the  chief  reason  of  all 
human  actions,  for  God  as  the  originator  of  men 
whom  He  respects  and  supports  as  a  father, 
deserves  indeed  above  all  their  love  as  thanks. 
Men  ought  to  love  God  faithfully  and  in  all  con- 
ditions of  life.  Men  can  love  God  directly  by 
loving  God  Himself,  or  indirectly  by  loving  His 
creatures,  and  thus  acting  in  accordance  with 
God's  intentions. 


I.  THE    VENERATION    OF    GOD. 

As  God  is  a  self-sufficient  mind  men  can  realize 
their  love  to  God  directly  only  by  respecting 
Him.  God  ought  to  be  respected  by  men  prop- 
erly. In  attending  upon  God  decency  ought  to  be 
observed,  and  tactful  regard  to  be  taken  of  God's 
feelings.  Men  with  judgment  will,  therefore, 
doubtless  avoid  degrading  servility  as  well,  as 
distasteful  flatteries  and  absurd  assertions,  or 
other  displeasing  utterances.  In  conversations 
with  God  expression  will  be  given  to  honoring 


THE;   SYSTEM    OF   THE   DIVINE   REUGLON.  95 

salutations,  sincere  thanks,  sorrowful  repentance 
of  committed  misdeeds,  or  reasonable  wishes  will 
be  communicated ;  frequently,  indeed,  also  God's 
counsel  will  be  sought. 

The  forms  of  expressing  veneration  of  God  will 
vary  according  to  locality  and  time.  As  regular 
time  for  a  private  communion  with  God  the 
morning  and  resting  hours  are  most  fit,  and  for 
short  thanksgivings  the  meal  times  might  be 
chosen.  Extraordinarily  and  rather  ceremon- 
iously thanks  to  God  will  be  given,  and  His 
blessings  and  consolation  prayed  for  at  such 
remarkable  events  as  birth,  marriage  and  death ; 
further  public  homage  to  God  may  be  paid,  and 
edification  of  worshipper's  ensemble  be  accom- 
plished at  resting  and  festival  days.  As  chief 
part  of  public  worship  a  poetical-musical  liturgy 
will  prove  desirable,  whereas  in  private  inter- 
course with  God  men,  as  God's  descendants,  will 
respectfully,  but  most  familiarly  express  their 
thoughts  and  emotions.  God  is  omnipresent, 
therefore  everywhere  accessible  to  men  for  a 
parental  intercourse.  Men  wishing  God's  coun- 
sel, especially  at  occasions  of  grave  importance, 
in  deep  depression  and  distress,  or  in  exulting 
felicity  will  seek  their  eternal  Progenitor  solitar- 


96  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

ily;  but  for  regular  veneration  the  family  circle 
at  home  and  the  worshippers'  congregation  in 
public  buildings  will  suit.  While  worship  of  the 
family  members  by  the  head  of  the  family  might 
be  directed,  orderly  public  worship  will  evidently 
require  the  conduct  by  thoroughly  learned  and 
well-experienced  persons ;  persons  who  have  de- 
voted their  life  to  the  most  responsible,  and 
therefore  to  be  highly  honored  office  of  teaching 
men,  how  to  love  God. 


II.    THE  LOVE  OF  CREATURES. 

Men  can  love  God  indirectly  by  love  of  His 
creatures.  Then  they  will  realize  their  love  of 
God  by  generating  of  an  offspring,  or  by  respect- 
ing and  supporting  themselves,  and  their  sur- 
roundings. The  latter  on  whom  the  self  will 
bestow  his  love,  may  belong  to  the  circles  of  his 
family,  friends,  nation,  race,  mankind,  and  to 
the  rest  of  finite  minds.  The  reasonably  acting 
self  will  choose  the  beloved  others  according  to 
principles  that  will  be  determined  by  considera- 
tions of  gratitude  to  his  beloved,  their  moral 


THE:   SYSTEM    OF   THE   DIVINE   RELIGION.  97 

worth  or  his  natural  inclination  to  them,  and 
correspond  to  the  horizon  of  his  intelligence.  A 
noble  and  wise  intellect  will  embrace  in  love  all 
feeling  creatures,  and  with  judicious  regard  of 
their  psychic  and  physiological  peculiarity  differ- 
entiate his  loving  actions ;  but  he  will  also  recog- 
nize the  fact  that  love  of  others  regularly  pre- 
supposes love  of  himself.  Besides,  by  self-respect, 
the  latter  condition  is  fulfilled  by  a  rational 
satisfaction  of  one's  bodily  and  spiritual  wants. 
Avoiding  of  course  whatever  hypochondriac  ex- 
cess and  without  false  shame,  every  person  ought 
to  acquire  an  adequate  knowledge  of  the  bodily 
constitution,  and  under  the  guidance  of  wise 
physicians  properly  care  for  the  health.  But 
more  yet,  men's  intellectual  development  requires 
a  loving  counsel,  for  there  the  danger  that  men, 
misled  and  confused  will  miss  the  true  goal  of 
life  and  thus  their  happiness,  is  very  imminent. 
Persons  who  by  a  wisely  directed  education, 
combined  with  independent,  thorough  thinking, 
energetic  self-discipline,  and  practical  experience 
have  attained  to  a  virtuous  character,  will  be 
most  fit  to  succeed  in  life  themselves  and  to  pro- 
mote others'  happiness.  They  will  then  be  loving 
and  beloved  children,  spouses,  and  parents  as  well, 


98  PACIFIC    TIDINGS. 

as  faithful  friends,  desirable  citizens,  and  benevo- 
lent defenders  of  their  race ;  further  with  interest 
partake  of  the  progress  of  mankind,  and  also  have 
feelings  for  their  lower  fellow-creatures.  Lastly 
after  a  successful  embodied  life  they  will  enter 
the  everlasting  afterlife  as  angels. 

The  cases  in  which  wise  men  will  find  it  imper- 
ative to  risk  their  health  and  life  for  the  sake  of 
beloved  others,  or  because  of  self-respect  or  lack 
of  means  for  self-support,  will  rarely  occur,  and 
quite  exceptionally  self-sacrifice  in  fact.  By  care- 
ful circumspection  it  will  be  possible  to  avoid 
dangers,  and  in  the  spirit  of  love  to  settle  such 
conflicts,  because  God,  assisted  by  all  good  crea- 
tures, saves  persons  who  choose  to  follow  Him. 
Thus  truly  pious  persons,  surpassing  difficulties, 
will  always  succeed  in  this  life  and  more  easily 
vet  hereafter. 


THE     SYSTEM     OF     THE    DIVINE    RELIGION.  99 

% 

C.     Happiness. 

Happiness  is  the  necessary  result  of  a  good 
personal  conduct.  Therefore  persons  who  have 
steadily  striven  for  some  good  are  surely  to  har- 
vest some  happiness  as  the  flower  and  fruit  of 
their  honest  endeavors. 

As  love  to  God  leads  to  every  good  action,  per- 
sons who  consciously  love  God  will  enjoy  happi- 
ness. But  if  pious  persons,  highminded  enough, 
soar  in  their  conduct  towards  the  most  lofty, 
universal  sphere  of  the  Divine  love,  though  only 
as  towards  an  infinitely  far  and  mere  ideal  goal, 
they  will  fully  succeed  on  earth,  and  in  blessed- 
ness rejoice  hereafter.  This  cheerful  view  of  life 
is  justified,  as  God's  might  predominates  in  the 
universe. 

Thus  the  love  of  God  is  always  bound  with 
happiness ;  with  the  happiness  of  men,  but  there- 
fore, and,  above  all,  also  the  happiness  of  God. 


Index. 


Acting,  way  of,  30,  31,  33, 
35,  36,  38,  42,  43,  44,  49, 
50,  59 

Afterlife,    55,    63,   64,   91 

Angels,  91,  98 

Animals,  cruelty  to,  51,  84 

Annihilation,  impossibil- 
ity of,  25,  56,  93 

B 

Beauty,  31,  47 
Being,    denned,   53 
Blessedness,   64,   99 
Bodies,      explanation      of, 

54,  90 

C 

Charity,  36,  50 
Creator,  54,  87 
Creatures,  conception  of, 

54,  89 

D 
Depraved    minds,    55,    89, 

92 

Destiny,    24 
Diseases,  46,  47 
Duties,    50 

E 

Education,    reform    of,    75 
Eternity    of    God,    53,    87; 
of  Satan,  56,  93 


Evil,  its  origin,  20,  21,  24, 
67,  86;  its  meaning,  56, 
93 

Expiation  of  misdeeds,  51 
51 

F 

Faithfulness,   29 

Fate,   66 

Festival    days,   95 

Finiteness     of      creatures, 

54,  89 

Freedom      of     minds,    53, 

55,  60,    61,    66,   83,   88, 
89,  92 

Fundamental    conceptions 

of   the    Divine    Religion, 

85 

G 
God,     conception     of,     53, 

87 

Good,    the,    its    origin,    21 
Goodness,      its      meaning, 

54,  83 

H 

Habits,  good,  47,  49 
Happiness,   27,   37y   56,   99 
Health,  47,  97 
Heaven,  64,  92 
Hell,  55,  92 
Holiness   of  God,  87 
Hygiene,   reform   of   pres 

ent  rules  of,  75 


,  I 

Individuality  of  minds,  53, 
87,  89 

Infinitude  of  God,  53,  87; 
of  Satan,  56,  93 

Inspirations/,  receptivity 
of  God's,  62 

Intellect,   God  an,   11,   58 

Introduction  into  the  Di- 
vine Religion,  83 

Intuitive   treatment,  6 


Justice,    God's    perfect, 

K 

Knowledge,  66,  67 


Laborers,  sufferings  of, 
38 

Ue,  30 

Life-experiences  of  Mr. 
H.  B.  G.,  15 

Life,  purpose  of  embod- 
ied, 63,  74 

Liturgy,    95 

Living-guaranty  by  the 
state,  76 

Locality  of  veneration  of 
God,  95,  96 

Love,  its  meaning,  54, 
83;  of  self,  27,  84,  97;  of 
others,  16,  27,  39,  51,  83, 
84,  96,  97;  of  God,  94; 
of  creatures,  96 


M 

Manners,   31 

Matrimonial     problem,    76 

Medicines,  46 

Might  of  God  predomi- 
nant, 57,  92,  99 

Minds,   definition    of,   53 

Miracles,   68,   71 

Misery,  56,  93 
N 

Nature,  57,  68 
O 

Omnipotence  of  God,  an 
erroneous  view,  53,  68 

Omnipresence  of  God, 
53,  87;  of  Satan,  56,  93 

Omniscience  of  God,  53, 
87;  of  Satan,  56,  93 

P 

Pains,       consequence       of 

evil,  56,  93 
Perfection  of  God,  53,  54, 

Q7        QO 
O/,     OO 

Personality  of  God,  11, 
58,  87 

Piety,  98,  99 

Pity  with  fellowmen,  18, 
36,  39,  44 

Power  of  God,  40,  53,  58, 
87;  of  Satan,  56,  93 

Private   system,  41 

Proof  of  the  fundament- 
al conceptions  of  the 
Divine  Religion,  85 


Providence  of  God,  61,  87 
Punishment     of     criminals 
a  mistake,  43 


Soul,  its   definition,   54,  90 
Success,  26,  35,  60,  98,  99 
System  of  the  Divine   Re- 
ligion, 83 


Reform    of    principles     of 

men's   conduct,  74-77 
Rest,   50;   davs   of,  95 
Revelation,    the,    11 
Righteousness,    35 
Rights,  respect  of,  50 


Salvation  of  the  soul,  17, 
18,  50,  55,  77 

Satan,  conception  of,  56, 
93 

Sceptic,  15,  33 

Science,  God  its  propa- 
gator, 54 

Scientific    treatment,   6 

Self-respect,  27,  97 

Self-sufficiency  of  God, 
53,  84,  94 

Social  system.  41;  state, 
75,  76 


Time      of     veneration      of 

God,  95 

Trust   in   others'   faith,   33 
Truth,    its    meaning,     29; 

God's  perfect,  30,  54,  88 

U 

Universal,      the      problem 
of,   5 


-Vanity,  31,  32 
Veneration   of   God,  94 
Virtue,   48,   66,   97 

W 

Will,    strength    of,   44,   47, 

49,  66 
Wisdom,  its  meaning,  30; 

God's    perfect,    54,    88 


VB   IP94.I 


16352,'} 


